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Today, McDonald's restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region launched a new Happy Meal in support of the company's recently announced 'Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choice' which strive to help customers – especially children and families – make nutrition-minded choices whether visiting McDonald's or elsewhere.

Available nationwide by March 2012, the new Happy Meal automatically includes Apple Slices (1/4 cup or 1/2 serving) as a side to the choice of Chicken McNuggets, a Hamburger, or Cheeseburger, and choice of beverage, in which fat-free chocolate milk and 1% white milk will be options.

In addition to Apple Slices, the meal also includes a smaller size serving of French Fries (1.1 ounces).

For customers who prefer apples only, an additional bag of Apple Slices is available in lieu of fries.

"As a mom with two young children, I understand the challenges of helping kids make good nutrition choices," says Karen Traa, Owner/Operator, McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region.

"With the new Happy Meal, we're supporting parents in encouraging their children to enjoy the foods that are good for them along with the foods they love by automatically including both apples and fries as part of a balanced, kid-appropriate meal. This will bring about 100 million cups of produce annually to our youngest customers."

To support the new Happy Meal on the local level, McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region will host an "Apple of my Eye" online photo contest with 95.7 BenFM.

Parents are invited to submit their child's photo on www.ilikebenfm.com[6] and tell us what "makes them happy" this month through February. The winning participant will receive a Happy Meal party at their local McDonald's for their child and 10 friends, an appearance by Ronald McDonald, and a $250 Arch card.

The new Happy Meal is the latest example of McDonald's ongoing menu evolution. By adding fruit in every Happy Meal, McDonald's hopes to help children meet the recommended daily consumption of produce.